Skip to Content Accessibility Information

Maryland Department of the Environment

Board of Public Works Approves Funding for Clean Water and the Chesapeake Bay

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jay Apperson
(410) 537-3003
jay.apperson@maryland.gov

Board of Public Works Approves Funding for Clean Water and the Chesapeake Bay

Grants and loan will reduce pollution, improve water quality

BALTIMORE, MD (Dec. 3, 2014) – The Maryland Board of Public Works approved more than $7 million in funding today to upgrade a wastewater treatment plant and reduce water pollution. The Board is composed of Governor Martin O’Malley, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot.

“Projects such as this are an important part of our effort to improve Maryland waterways, including the Chesapeake Bay,” said Governor O’Malley. “This project reduces pollution and protects the environment and public health while creating jobs for more Marylanders.”

The following funding was approved today:

Winebrenner Wastewater Treatment Plant Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) and Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) Upgrade project – Washington County

Funding totaling $7,868,715 – a $2,709,028 Bay Restoration Fund grant, a $2,606,687 Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Projects Bioloigical Nutrient Removal grant and a $2,553,000 Water Quality State Revolving Loan Fund loan – to Washington County will help fund the Winebrenner Wastewater Treatment Plant Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) and Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) Upgrade project. The project entails the planning, design and construction of BNR and ENR upgrades at the 0.60 million gallon per day Winebrenner Wastewater Treatment Plant. After the upgrades, the facility will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 83 percent and its phosphorus discharge by 90 percent, significantly reducing the amount of nutrients discharged to Antietam Creek and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. Excessive amounts of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus lead to lowered levels of oxygen needed to support aquatic life in waterways, including the Chesapeake Bay. Enhanced Nutrient Removal upgrades of the state’s major wastewater treatment plants are a critical component of Maryland’s Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan.

# # #